Crowns and Bridges

Crowns

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cover placed over a tooth and secured with dental cement. Crowns are generally used to improve the strength or appearance of the tooth. A dental impression usually takes place in order to fabricate the crown.

Most crowns are made from gold or porcelain, or a combination of porcelain and metal alloy:

Porcelain crowns are aesthetically more appealing and very natural looking.

Gold is usually used on the back teeth, is easier to use than porcelain and requires less tooth be drilled away.

Crowns are used to protect broken, worn down teeth. They are also used to cover dental implants, a dental bridge, or a tooth with a large filling.

Bridges

Bridges are used as a replacement for a missing tooth by attaching permanently to adjoining teeth or dental implants. They are an alternative to dental implants or dentures. Bridges are important because the teeth on either side of a missing tooth can shift and potentially lead to gum disease. Bridges are most often made with porcelain and gold.